Five LHS band and choir students to participate in All-State concerts

Five Libby High School students have been chosen, through a statewide audition process, to rehearse and perform next month in the 2012 All-State Band and Choir.

Darbi Brooks will play clarinet in the band, and Elijah Miller, Caleb Broderick, Brenden Kack and Josh Broderick will join the choir as tenors on Oct. 17 to 19 in Great Falls.  

The five will rehearse with student musicians from throughout Montana during the All-State Music Festival in preparation for a final Friday performance for state music educators.  The state music educators’ conference is in Great Falls during the same time.

While in Great Falls, the All-State musicians also plan a concert featuring the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers Chorus.

Band Director Brenda Nagode specifically mentioned how Brooks has progressed in her musical talents.

“Darbi is a very talented young lady.  She sings, plays flute, tenor sax, baritone, bass guitar, piano and just last year started playing clarinet in the band,” Nagode said.

“Her work ethic and her drive to do her very best has earned her a chair in the All-State Band where she will be among the 12 best clarinet players in the state of Montana.  Most students who make the All-State band have been playing their instrument for at least four years or have studied privately,” Nagode said of Brooks, a senior.  

Brooks was recently recognized as one of Libby’s outstanding young musicians when she was presented with a brand new clarinet at the Blues Festival.